Lowering Presidential Age Requirement to 35 Gains Support from House Lawmaker

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javi Benitez has expressed support for Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s proposal to lower the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates in the Philippines from 40 to 35 years old.

In a recent social media post, the young lawmaker popularly dubbed the “Hot Shot” congressman argued that if the United States allows individuals as young as 35 to run for president, the Philippines should consider adopting the same standard. 

“In the U.S., 35 years old is enough to become President. In the Philippines, we still wait until 40. If other countries can do it, why can’t we? Perhaps this could be our ace card for the nation,” Benitez wrote.

He further noted that while age used to be seen as a measure of readiness for leadership, the present generation has already produced young public servants who have demonstrated competence, courage, and compassion qualities that go beyond age.

Sotto, in a recent television interview, floated the idea of amending the Constitution to lower the minimum age requirement not only for the presidency but also for the Senate. He said this would allow younger leaders more space to contribute to national leadership.

Currently, the Philippine Constitution sets the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates at 40 years old and for senators at 35.

Philippine People's Press | In Truth We Prevail